Thanksgiving Ramblings

Thanksgiving was swell...we went to my Grandparents' cabin in Christmas Meadows (very over the river and through the woods) on Wednesday night...played a ton of games and stayed up late...

On Thanksgiving morning, we did some prep work and then went Christmas Tree hunting...

The cool kids...minus my mom who took the pic (I forgot my camera...shocker)...AK and I are thoroughly bundled in coats and snow pants...not necessary...it was SO warm!

We found this lovely tree and chopped it down.

We held it and acted happy!

Here's the fam and their trees...ours was way too tall.

I loved all the homemade goodness and the family time and seeing the long lost cousin. Then we went to Adam's fam's for some pie and family time...which was also delightful.

Black Friday started early for us and we spend a ton but saved at least as much. Killer deals this year...and now we are nearly done with the Christmas shopping (and wrapping). When we got home, I spent about 4 hours lighting half our tree...then the lights shorted out and now we have to buy new ones and I have to start all over...am I ticked? Why yes I am...I still haven't found the motivation to start all over.

Saturday was spend at Adam's Grandpa John's (we took Lyv)...it was pretty ok...but I started to get a little sick.

We watched Lyv again Sunday which I usually love but I was getting sick... I have no idea how sick moms muster of the energy to not totally neglect their kids...2 days was more than enough (really, I love her and would watch her everyday if I could...but I'm glad I don't...I'd get tired).

Then I missed a lot of school and work (sick) and now have tons to do...but I got some pics posted which shoudln't have been a priority but somehow was.

And now...I am Thankful for the raddest family ever (lucky to have best friends I'm related to so they are stuck with me forev) and the best husband in the whole world who is nice to me even when I am sick and obnoxious. What a champ.

What could you possibly have that's worth saying...

...so early in the morning.

Adam and I carpool a lot. In our journeys I keep noticing that an awful lot of people are cell-phoning it up pre-8am. Why is this? Now, I am not one to talk on my phone ever...let alone while driving...let alone early in the morning...but I get the occasional need, e.i. "Hey, hun, I forgot my lunch, could you drop it off on your way." or "Hi mom, since you live in New York, I thought I'd call now to wish you a lovely morning." or "911, I just witnessed a murder...it's 7:15am...may want to look into it." For the most part, who could you possibly be talking to (and why) this early in the morning. Furthermore, the majority of the culprits are serial am talkers...this is going on every dang morning. I don't get it and I judge them for it, I really do. It's ridic.

Next up, if you want a Christmas card email me...hopefully I find time to actually send some out (since I suck and am still working on thank you cards for our wedding...sorry guys...they're coming though).

I shall try and post more often and hopefully on more interesting subject matter...I'm busy (no excuse...everyone is busy in one way or another) and don't have a computer or internet in my home...I'll try to remedy both. Peace folks!

Marriage Makes You Soft...

... and not just physically (which seems to be true for me but not Adam...darn BC). Adam was gone for 4 days to hunt deer with his dad. I missed him...a lot. I don't remember being quite this lame but it seems I am turning to mush...at least regarding Adam the great. Boy he's cool. To keep myself occupied in his absence, I finally put stuff on our bare walls. It took forever and I'm not quite done but it looks much better. I'm stoked. I'll post some pictures (I need to take some first though). In lieu of his return, I shall do this survey thingy (stollen from Aliese's blog) and talk about the coolest guy ever.

So...this is the way it works, you answer as though you were your significant other. They can correct your answers if needed.

Here are my answers from AK's POV:

BASIC INFORMATION
1. Where am I from? I grew up in Nephi and moved to WJ in 7th grade.
2. Who are my siblings? Kellen (Lindsey), Tyson, Taylor. (and Jen's sibs: Aliese (Darrin), Jacob, and Natalie. My dad's wife has 2 kids too...but they don't really count.
3. What school did I go to? Nephi Elementary, Joel P. Jensen Middle School, West Jordan High School, SLCC, USU, UofU ~there may have been more than one elementary school, I forget~
4. What pet(s) did I have? A dog named Amber, then a dog named Trixie, and whatever Taylor was adopting at the time.
5. When is my birthday? September 27th


LIKES / DISLIKES
1. What's my favorite food? Mexican food or Greek food mostly. Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies is my favorite treat.
2. What's my favorite book? I read A LOT...maybe The River Runs Through It, Heart of Darkness, or Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainence. ~I really should know this...I do know what he is currently reading...he's reading two books, one is yellow and has a long title which I forgot...the other is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (precious)~
3. What's my favorite movie? Braveheart, Cassablanca, Indiana Jones (all)
4. Who was my favorite girlfriend / boyfriend? Jen (duh...I married her). Before that probably Brooke ~I don't actually know if they were boyfriend/girlfriend...I just know he dug her for a spell.
5. What's my favorite song or singer? All time...CLD, maybe Elvis.
6. What's my favorite color? Green (lately)
7. What's my type (Girl/boyfriend)? Girl-next-door looking girls who are extremely confident but have a tendency to be slightly needy once you get to know them.
8. What do I like better ketchup or mayo? Neither...unless they are combined with french fries.
9. Who's my favorite actor/actress? Leonardo DiCaprio...don't judge...he's a great actor...very versatile.
10. Who is my secret celeb crush? Mandy Moore ~Ok...so he isn't the celebrity crush sort, but I know he thinks she's pretty~ Also the girl in Karate Kid.

BEST
1. Who is my best friend? Jennifer Kay! Also my fam and Brett and Brian and Paul and Kevin maybe.
2. What celebrity/historical figure best describes me? Abraham Lincoln - he's tall and skinny and shy and a great leader and teacher and a smarty. ~he wouldn't really say this~
3. What is my best accomplishment? Marrying a rad girl and graduating college ~and being brave for going back~
4. What is my best school subject? English/Humanities & History
5. What is my best quality? Tolerance
6. What's my best attribute? My smile. ~while he has a wonderful smile, his BEST physical attribute is his inguinal ligaments which sounds dirty but isn't...it's that line that kind of traces the hip region...and it's hot~
7. What am I the best at? Storytelling and being a husband and son and brother
8. Who was my best friend in Kindergarten? I don't remember his name but I'm going with the kid who's mom later killed her boyfriend. ~AK: I'm right, huh?~
9. Who was my best friend in 1st year university? Brian and Melissa
10. What tree best describes me? Aspen, it's tall, knobby, unique, and can adapt well in many different environments, also, it's Jen's fav.

WORST
1. Who is my worst nemesis? The guy who used to egg my car. Also, Bruce and Pearl.
2. What is the worst thing I have ever done? It depends on one's definition of worst...maybe when my friends and I would drive around and steal people outdoor Christmas decorations ~maybe he wouldn't have wanted me to say that~
3. What's my worst quality (in my opinion)? I'm not very confrontational.
4. What is the worst food in the world (according to me)? The bean dip with hamburger and corn in it that Jen's family call chip dip...can't even look at it.
5. What is the worst possible thing ever (I can think of)? Baby rapers
6. What is the worst thing you can ethically think of? Baby raping.
7. Who is the worst person I know? Hilter, whom I don't actually know personally...or Bruce, whom I do.
8. Whats my worst habit? I'm a backseat driver when Jen's driving ~he wouldn't say this...but I would...it's his only flaw.
9. What is my wost attribute? I have a big nose ~I LOVE his nose...he thinks it's big, I think it's perfect...it's masculine and he's a man...perfect.
10. What was my worst break up? Sally

MOST
1. What am I most proud of? Me degree and wife and house and adventures.
2. What am I most ashamed of? I can't think of anything...live life with no regrets and no reason to be ashamed.
3. Where would I want to live most? In a house with Jen in a fairly chill area...maybe Cache Valley.
4. What job do I want the most? Realistically, I want to be a professor, really it'd be nice to be paid to ride my bike or box or be an astronaut.
5. What crime would I want to committ the most? Arson ~maybe?~
6. What is most valuable to me? My wife and family
7. What is the most crazy thing i have ever done? That one time at the haunted house...we'll stop there.
8. Where do I want to visit most? Greece
9. What do I want to do the most? Quit my dang job
10. What am I most skilled at? I know everything about everything...is this a skill. I'm also good at cycling/running/swimming and I'm champ at wiping off the kitchen countertops.

BIGGEST
1. What is my biggest achievement? College grad.
2. What is my biggest feature? I have a biggish nose and a longish forehead.
3. What was my biggest failure? Ever being friends with "Biggie" ~I said this, not him, he wouldn't...I just hate her...also, he doesn't actually have any failures that I know of.
4. What was my biggest regret? I don't have any regrets (remember the part about livin life with no regrets) ~not taking Jen to the last CLD concert of all time...is what it should be.
5. What is my biggest dream? Be a professor and live in our dream house with Jen and our 0-3 children.

HOW MANY
1. How many people have I dated? A lot. 5-8 ish were more serious.
2. How many languages do I speak? Just English so far.
3. How many days have I gone in a row without showering? Maybe 3.
4. How many times have I picked up in a bar? Countless ~ok...so I don't really know but I'm pretty sure~
5. How many valentines have I spent with a special someone? Perhaps 10ish(4 with Jennifer)
6. How many countries have I visited? 4 - Mexico, Canada, China, Jamaica ~I don't know about the last one...he went on a cruise...I think he went to Jamaica...could have been more countries involved...or different ones.
7. How many states have I visited? Around 30.
8. How many people have I kissed? 10
9. How many one night stands have I had? None.
10. How many days in a row have I gone without drinking/drugs? Just 2...j/k...infinite.

FIRSTS
1. What was my first word? Not telling ~I really do know this and I know he wouldn't tell or want me to~
2. Where was my first school? Nephi
3. What was the first sport I played? T-ball
4. Who was my first crush? ~I have no idea...probably a cute little tomboyish girl~
6. Who was my first girlfriend? ~I would guess Sally but I think that isn't right~
5. Who was my first real love? I thought I loved 2 girls before I met Jen and learned what love really was...so Jennifer.
7. Who was my first real heartbreak? Maybe Sally.
8. Who was my first kiss? ~I have no idea...but I know who his last was!~
9. What was my first swear word? Probably damn...as in...drink a sip of soda..."ah, damn good!"
10. What was the first concert I ever saw? ~Bah! I know this, I really do! I can't think of it! I shall guess Dave Matthews though for the sake of the game.

CRAZY
1. What is my craziest quality? I'm randomly and spontaneously silly.
2. What's the craziest thing I have ever done? Maybe the haunted house thing? Maybe the Mexico doombuggy and Senior Frogs thing? Get married (j/k!)
3. Who's the craziest person I've ever dated? Sally or Lori ~both nut jobs in my opinion~
4. What's my craziest interest? Cycling ~it's a good hobby but so boring to watch~
5. What's the craziest fashion trend I've followed? I had a mullet as a very young lad...which was a mega trend in Nephi.

QUIRKS
1. What part of my body do I dislike? The nose
2. What do I find annoying or irritating? Jen...really late at night ~this is sort of a joke (because really it's true) because I get super hyper at night~
3. What do I do that is annoying? Be mean to Jen when she's driving (again...backseat driver...only flaw).
4. What habits do I have? What habits don't I have...I am a man of habit...a bit OCD about things. My life is a habit.
5. What addictions do I have? I have the least addictive personality of all time...but maybe Jen.

PHILOSOPHY
1. What philosopher do I agree with most? ~who cares...the funny thing is he likely has one...but I certainly wouldn't know it~
2. What politician do I agree with most? None...but I like Obama pretty well.
3. What laws do I disagree with? Pot being illegal...not that I'd do it...but it's no worse than smoking cigarettes...or you have to wear a seat belt in a car but motorcyclists don't have to wear helmets ~I don't really know~
4. What religion do I agree with most? Prolly the LDS.
5. What movements do I believe in? Uhh...women's rights?...uh...free the slaves ~he'd be able to answer this perfectly himself~

DID I EVER?
1. Did I ever have an affair with a married person? Just Jen...but she's married to me.
2. Did I ever have a one night stand? No
3. Did I ever committ a crime? Yes.
4. Did I ever cheat on an exam? Math...off Jen's paper...only then.
5. Did I ever steal anything? What? Yes... ~I don't know what...gum...who knows...but I'm sure he has~
6. Did I ever run from the cops? Why? No
7. Did I ever do drugs? What kind? No
8. Did I ever participate in an orgy? No...gross.
9. Did I ever jump out of a plane? Not yet.
10. Did I ever steal another mans alcohol? No...but this one is funny.

HEALTH
1. Do I have any allergies? Yes...bad ones...to outside stuff...plants or pollen or something.
2. Have I broken any bones? Arm. Hand.
3. Have I had any operations? Tonsils and wisdom teeth
4. Do I have any mental disorders? No
5. Do I have any physical diseases or disorders? No...but I think I am a Marfan...which I am not.

The Found Camera Cable!

That's right, folks! I found the dang thing. My dad is a chord hoard and he had it...sweet! So...here are some tidbits of our post-wed summer. I'll get some housey pics posted soon!


The Yuba Triathlon:

AK did the Yuba triathlon in August. I was gonna join him...then I didn't...which I'm glad for. He did so well!

AK the great, in transit from swim to bike. He was the 5th done. I wish I had the number of people still in the lake in the background (there's around 300 behind him...rad!) He looks like a superhero in his wetsuit!

And the bike...unfortunately he wrecked and had to fix his chain and start up again which set him back bit...but he still did amazingly well. What a champ!

And the run! Here AK crosses the finish line and looks like he's been beat to death with a spoon. He's so cool! I'll join him next year...I need a bike and some training first.

Babysitting fun:

We watch Adam's niece, Alvia, from time to time...we LOVE it.

She had a sleepover at our house and we did some crafts, mallow roasting, and bowling. I also learned how much having a kid would cramp my style in the morning. Lesson learned.

How many 3 year olds can hold their own ball, approach, and throw the ball all alone...probably just this one. We had the slide thingy but because we weren't using it, she wanted nothing to do with it.

What focus.

We took Lyv to Lagoon over the summer. It was so so fun! She loved it!

I adore this face...this is her "pretty face"...it reminds me very much of some of my classic face-pulling pics.

Another precious face...she is so dang sweet! She loved the scarier kid rides...the roller coasters and the mini-rocket. What a little champ.

The Honeymoon:

I don't remember if I'd posted pics of this...so I just decided to post a few. This place is so amazing. I loved PEI!

Birthday Weekend

Adam's birthday was on Sunday and I had a whole birthday weekend planned for celebration purposes! I love birthdays. I love celebrating. I was stoked.

Friday:
Birthday weekend started right when we got off work. We hung out and he opened a gift (2 shirts). Then we went to Cabella's. We are both wary shoppers...Adam picked some stuff he wanted but is going to buy them online (good thing too...much cheaper. Then we went to Hoppers (way good!) with K-Walk. It was way fun. We lingered and hung out and then headed back to EM.

Saturday:
On Saturday we slept in. I was going to take AK out to breakfast but we had big plans for dinner so we rationed our intake. Adam opened another gift (cylcing gloves). We stopped at his mom's bank and did some banking for 2 hours...changing accounts and beneficiaries...regrouping pretty much. Then we went to my parents' house. They gave Adam a Happenings Book. He was thrilled...still is. He has wanted one for a while. We are freaks. Adam wanted to swim but time didn't permit. We had some Jamba Juice and went to America First so I could make a transfer and spend more money on AK for his birthday. America First then attempted to wreck our weekend by stealing my ATM card because they thought I was a theif because they apparently can't make a decent name change (I can't buy anything online either). After being accused of a felony and having all access to my funds taken (still don't have my debit card) and after a mild melt down...Adam convinced me that my credit card is usable (Heaven forbid...I'm terrified of debt) and we proceeded to Cache Valley.

I had plans to take Adam to the USU football game and to Maddox (best restaurant in the whole world) and then stay in Logan for the night...fate had other plans for us. A grissly wreck on the freeway (pretty sure at least one person died) added about 2 hours to our drive and we missed the game...so we ate at Maddox and had birthday ice cream at Charlies (part of our first date 5 years ago) and headed back down to EM.

Sunday:
Birthdays should be spent doing only what you want to do...so we didn't go to church (judge if you will...but we didn't want to go). Instead we had a lovely breakfast and opened more presents (grill & Casablanca). Adam went for a lengthy bike ride to test out his new gloves while I set up his new grill (which we can't wait to use). After some cleaning up and hanging out we went to his Mom's house to hang with his family and celebrate his birtday and his little brother's birthday. I love hanging out with family and I love love my neices and nephews. It was a great night. After tons of fun, we went back to EM and watched Casablanca. I love birthdays!

Side note: I bought some fall scented scentsy wax and it just came in and I'm jazzed for my house to smell like fall time! I love the fall!